Duplin Airpark infrastructure project faces delays, cost challenges

Duplin County Economic Development Director Scotty Summerlin opened the board meeting on a positive note last Friday regarding the delayed completion of infrastructure work at the new Duplin Airpark industrial complex at the airport.

“A tremendous amount of work has really transpired in the last 30 days, since our last meeting,” Summerlin said. “Everybody is stepping up. Contractors are stepping up, trying to get the work done.”

The tone turned to frustration when the board began to discuss two serious last-minute issues that have materialized with the project. Summerlin and contractors joining the meeting remotely said a ditch that was supposed to be completed in front of the new N.C. Forest Service district headquarters that just began construction would now have to be piped in for approximately 260 feet. Two drop inlets would also have to be installed.The additional cost to make the ditch change is estimated at approximately $55,000. The ditch does not meet the slope angle that is needed to mow the ditch line. Summerlin added the area affected has eroded badly and is an eyesore.

Summerlin said that due to some funds not being spent from the budget, the actual additional cost to pipe in the ditch line at that location could be reduced to $30,000. Duplin Deputy County Manager Carrie Shields said the county should not be responsible for the additional cost of piping in the ditch since the issue was an oversight on the part of the engineering firm contracted for the infrastructure project.

“Parrish (and Partners) should pay for some of that,” Shields said. “This isn’t only on Duplin County. We’ll accept our mistakes, but we expect you guys to take care of yours.”

Shields’ comments were directed to Matthew Ferguson with Parrish and Partners, who was participating in the meeting remotely.

Summerlin added that it was the firm’s oversight that led to the need of the ditch modification.

“With the lack of field verification of existing conditions, Parrish and Partners needs to contribute to this project,” Summerlin said.

Ferguson said the issue was one that would have to be discussed with Jeff Kirby, the company’s president.

The issue of the ditch along Airpark Road was addressed at the August meeting of the board when a $7,598 change order was approved to lengthen the ditch to meet N.C. Department of Transportation requirements. This change, along with an estimated 19 other change orders during the Airpark infrastructure improvements, has been costly in both money and time on the project, causing frustration with the board members.

Board Chairman Charley Farrior questioned whether the board should consider approving the current change order to pipe in the ditch without more details and a conclusion as to who would be responsible for the cost.

Another frustration with the infrastructure work at the Airpark arose when a subcontractor painted traffic lines along the newly paved roadways. Board members viewed photos showing poorly painted lines and lines that were not properly aligned. Ferguson said the only solutions to correct the errors could potentially damage the new asphalt on the new roads. A suggested solution to use black paint over the markings would be temporary, meaning the paint would eventually wear off revealing the bad markings.

Since the sub-contractor has not completed the markings around the new traffic circle at the airport, Farrior told Ferguson to advise the subcontractor not to do any additional markings at the airport until the issue is resolved.

Not all news on the Airpark project was discouraging. Work on the new industrial shell building is nearing completion, and the board praised the work being done by Daniels and Daniels Construction on the building, as well as another shell building close to completion at the SouthPark Industrial Park near Wallace.

In other business, Summerlin told the board that only two bidders had responded to a request for bids for new signage at the Airpark. As a result, the project will be readvertised to seek new bids.

The board voted to hold a special-called meeting at 7 a.m. Jan. 23.